Fort II of Kaunas Fortress Fortification

Fort II of the Kaunas Fortress, located in Julijanava in the city of Kaunas, was built in 1882–1889 and reconstructed in the late 19th century – early 20th century.

The fort has the shape of a regular elongated hexagon, with a strictly symmetrical structure. There are barracks in the rear part. At the top of the defensive rampart were artillery and infantry combat positions. Ammunition depots were installed in the casemates located under the defensive rampart. The barracks and the inner courtyards of the fort are connected by an external ditch by underground tunnels - posterns. Caponiers and half-caponiers were intended for the flank defense of the ditch. The external defensive ditch is surrounded by a counterscarp vaulted wall of red bricks. During the reconstruction of the fort, concrete structures of practical forms were built.

During the First World War, during the assault on Kaunas Fortress, Fort II fiercely defended itself against the German army. This fort was intensively shelled by German artillery – traces of hits from the special-power gun Big Bertha have survived on the territory of the fort, several shells hit the fort’s kitchen, the officers’ casemate and other buildings. The fort’s crew did not surrender without a fight during the assault, retreating only when the ranks of the soldiers were completely thinned and there were no more shells and ammunition left. The crew of Fort II consisted of a large number of local Lithuanians, hastily gathered before the German army attacked. This fort was the most damaged during the First World War.

​After World War I, due to a lack of living space, a colony of cheap workers settled in the buildings of Fort II. It suffered slightly during World War II, when the Aleksotas airfield was bombed. During the Soviet era, it housed army ammunition and vegetable warehouses. Later, the fort became abandoned and unused.

Currently, this fort is heavily urbanized. The settlements of Julijanava and Kazliškės are located around it. The pentagonal plan of the fort even formed the plan of its street network. The territory of Fort II is being adapted for visiting, visitor paths and stands are being prepared. The fort is not very actively being used – help desks, excursions, lectures are held here, it becomes a relevant object during hikes.